Three bailed as investigation continues into death of off-duty police officer, Pc Gareth Francis

A POST-MORTEM confirmed that Pc Francis died as a result of a single punch to the head.

Pc Gareth Francis was murdered as he made his way home from a night out. (Photo: Greater Manchester Police /PA Wire)

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THREE men arrested on suspicion of the murder of an off-duty police officer were bailed today.

Greater Manchester Pc Gareth Francis, 28, died in the early hours of Sunday following an alleged assault in Stockport.

A post-mortem examination later confirmed the cause of death was a head injury as a result of a single punch.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said today that two men, aged 20 and 21, were bailed until March 5 and March 7.

A third man, who handed himself in to police, was bailed until January 28.

Police and emergency services were called at 1.20am on Sunday to a report of an assault in Castle Street, Edgeley, where Pc Francis was found with a serious head injury.

He had been walking home after being dropped off by taxi from a night out in Manchester with friends when he was attacked.

Paramedics treated him at the scene and he was taken by ambulance to Stepping Hill Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.

Detective Chief Inspector Denise Worth from the major incident team said: "Although arrests have been made we are still keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident. We believe there may have been a number of people in or around the area at the time and I would urge them to come forward and speak to us.

"You may not think the information you have is relevant but if you were inside or outside the pub in the early hours of Sunday, please get in touch. The details you supply will be treated with the strictest of confidence."

Pc Francis joined Greater Manchester Police in 2007 and served in South Manchester and Wythenshawe before a move to West Didsbury police station last summer.

Tributes paid by colleagues spoke of him as "a consummate professional police officer".

Anyone with information should call GMP's major incident team on 0161 856 9283 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.